CXOToday had an exclusive interview with Parmi Doshi, Associate Vice President of Inflexor and Dr. Renuka Diwan of Bioprime Agrisolutions.
• Could you elaborate on the criteria and key factors that guide the selection process when considering investing in startups, especially in the agritech space?
Inflexor Ventures prioritizes agritech startups with innovative business models and strong technology foundations. Existing models have successfully addressed market linkages and reduced costs of inputs and capital, but often lack substantial innovation and benefits.
We focus on B2B solutions that deliver significant intellectual property and innovation, including BioPrime, a deep science business dedicated to increasing crop yield and resilience through innovative biomolecules and microorganisms. . Other innovative business models in the agritech space include computer vision and machine learning for quality assessment, predictive data analysis for insights into crop health, and nature-identical cell-based alternatives to dairy products. Advanced technologies such as genetic breeding solutions are utilized.
• As an investor, what is Inflexor Ventures’ long-term vision for agritech portfolio companies like BioPrime Agrisolutions, especially in terms of scalability, sustainability, and social impact?
BioPrime Agrisolutions’ goal is to continuously innovate biological solutions and evolve into a leading technology platform focused on B2B/B2B2C. Our vision for BioPrime is to become an organized leader in the biological sector in India and to have a significant footprint in the international market. This includes providing proprietary formulations to companies on both an exclusive and non-exclusive basis, as well as developing customized solutions to meet specific customer needs. BioPrime’s success will be measured not only by its financial growth and intellectual capabilities, but also by its sustainability and contribution to sustainability. social welfare. Through both B2C and B2B2C models, BioPrime plays a key role in empowering farmers. BioPrime enables farmers to thrive in challenging environments by increasing crop yields, reducing plant mortality and lowering input costs despite adverse weather conditions such as drought and high temperatures. Doing so will promote agricultural resilience, improve rural livelihoods and have a significant and positive impact on society.
• Given the recent government approval to commercialize BioPrime’s high-performance microbial strains, could you elaborate on the specific benefits these strains bring to farmers?
With recent government approval to commercialize BioPrime’s high-performance microbial strains, it is important to understand the specific benefits these strains offer farmers. At BioPrime, the selection criteria for commercialized microorganisms is rigorous, ensuring that only the most effective strains are brought to market. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSBs) play an important role in India, where phosphate deficiency poses a significant challenge to agricultural productivity. Unlike commercially available microorganisms that focus on mobilizing phosphorus from simple sources, our strain excels even in the harshest conditions, even in buffered environments and with complex materials such as aluminum, iron, and phosphate rocks. mobilizes phosphorus from natural sources. Obtained from harsh environments, these strains have -4 times more potent activity, exhibit superior survival ability and establish a strong bond with plants. This creates a better, more stable and fast-acting product for farmers, with reliable and reproducible results across different crops and regions. BioPrime’s technology will significantly contribute to the national goal of doubling farmers’ incomes by reducing input costs, increasing yields and increasing soil productivity.
• What are the key challenges currently facing India’s agriculture sector and how does BioPrime’s technology address these challenges?
One of the major challenges facing India’s agricultural sector is climate change. Heat waves and unseasonal rains are becoming increasingly frequent and intense, leading to significant yield losses of up to 25-30% annually. BioPrime’s SNIPR technology is based on small biomolecules and offers a solution to reduce climate-related risks. These biomolecules have been carefully selected to activate and control specific pathways in crops, ensuring resilience even in the most challenging conditions. By protecting yields, SNIPR provides farmers with a reliable income each year.
Additionally, BioPrime’s Bionexus microorganisms play an important role in replenishing soil microbial biodiversity lost due to environmental stressors. By restoring the crop microbiome, these microorganisms contribute to improved soil health and overall agricultural sustainability.
• How will Bioprime remain at the forefront of advances in agricultural biotechnology?
At BioPrime, our commitment to innovation is driven by being close to farmers and their challenges. We aim to create impact at scale by focusing on addressing critical problems where existing solutions are inadequate or unsustainable. Our multidisciplinary team of scientists brings decades of experience in biotechnology, molecular biology, microbiology, and natural products chemistry. In collaboration with universities and organizations around the world, we leverage cutting-edge research and technology to drive continued advances in agricultural biotechnology.
Additionally, BioPrime’s expert advisory board of technology leaders from around the world provides valuable insight and guidance, ensuring our innovations remain at the forefront of agricultural biotechnology. BioPrime also partners with some of the world’s largest agricultural input companies, bringing decades of experience and valuable insight. BioPrime continues to lead the way in shaping the future of agriculture by staying true to our mission of providing sustainable solutions to farmers.
